Genre: Horror
Genre Conventions – Content
The major convention of horror films is to scare or disturb an audience. Typical content conventions are:
Themes: Of the unknown, death, or of the supernatural.
Character Types: Victims-usually teenagers or unsuspecting families, an antagonist-monsters, ghosts, or killers, and sometimes a "final girl" whoSurvives.
The popular tropes are haunted houses, demonic possession, psychological terror, and survival. Most horror movies depict deeper social issues within their narratives; common ones include racism, gender roles, and mental illness.
Genre Conventions – Production Techniques
Special production techniques are employed in creating effective horror films.
Light: Low-key light gives an ominous feeling; obscurity in details heightens the suspense.
Sound Design: The creepy soundtrack, sudden loud noise, and sinister silences make for an effective combination to build tension and instill fear.
Camera work: camera angles are unorthodox, shaky cams, and close-ups to disorient the audience and raise anxiety.
Editing allows for quick cuts and long takes that develop urgency or suspense, especially in the most critical moments.
Institutional Conventions – How the Genre is Sold
The fact is, horror movies use promotion policies that play with the audiences' most valued terrifying feeling:
Trailers normally contain high-octane scenes, jump scares, and other shocking visuals.
Posters: Ominous imagery or iconic figures from the movie are used, thus creating curiosity.
Social Networks: They satisfy their audience's needs with behind-the-scenes content, engaging in escape rooms, and creating viral marketing. Film Festivals: Most horror movies start turning up at genre-specific festivals, such as Sundance and FrightFest, building word-of-mouth with committed audiences.
Film Example #1: Get Out 2017 Get Out represents something of a breakthrough in psychological horror insofar as it essentially explores racial tension through that paradigm. Following Chris, a young Black man, as he visits his white girlfriend's family, the on-screen, slow-building suspense makes the unsettling atmosphere of this film an embodiment of genre conventions. Jordan Peele tightens up the camera and chills up the sound for tension-filled moments, mainly the pivotal ones where Chris realizes all the horrors around him. What really separates the film is the social commentary regarding racial relations in America, which makes this movie so relatable to the current audience that it was a critical phenomenon.
Film Sample #2: The Conjuring, 2013 The Conjuring is a supernatural thriller horror film based on the true story of paranormal investigation by Ed and Lorraine Warren. Conventional tropes of terror, like a haunted house and demon possession, keep the audience engaged throughout the movie. Don Burgess' cinematography is subdued and smartly framed, enticing a feeling of presage. The sound, too, is remarkably unsettle-a plethora of jolting loud noises and unnerving background tunes hike the tension at junctures. The success has surely been for a combination of scares, better-than-usual characterizations, and that clever marketing campaign selling it as a true story, drawing in both the core constituency of horror fans and outsiders.
No comments:
Post a Comment